Ticats All Access Game Day Predictor, presented by Sports Interaction: Week 15 vs. Argos
Think you know Tiger-Cats football inside and out? In the hours leading up to every Tiger-Cats game, Ticats All Access members can log in and lock in their picks as part of our Game Day Predictor contest, presented by Sports Interaction. Prove you’re the most knowledgeable fan by answering a series of props questions prior to kickoff. The more questions you get right, the more yards you collect for your All Access account, which increase your chances for game day and weekly prizes. Each week, the Predictor player with the most correct answers wins four Club Level tickets to an upcoming Tiger-Cats home game.
Here are five of the questions for this week’s game, and which answers I’ll be choosing. For a full list of questions and to participate in the game, sign up for Ticats All Access and get your answers in: allaccess.ticats.ca/gameday
- How many points will both teams score combined? Over or under 47.5?
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-9) and the Toronto Argonauts (6-7) have split the 2017 season series so far. When the Argos visit the Ticats on Saturday, bragging rights, playoff seeding implications, and the Ballard Cup, will be on the line.
The Argos secured the comfortable victory over the Ticats at BMO Field in week one. The Ticats wouldn’t let that dictate the outcome of the second contest, and instead secured their first victory, 24-22, when the Argos dropped into TigerTown for the Labour Day Classic.
In the first two meetings between the Ticats and Argos, the teams combined for an average of 46.5 points. The rivalry is set to take on another layer of significance this Saturday, as the Ticats and Argos are arguably the hottest teams in the CFL’s East Division, and are vying for their playoff lives.
The Argos handed the Als a thorough beat-down in their last meeting despite the pedestrian numbers of quarterback Ricky Ray who threw for less than 200 yards and a single touchdown.
The majority of the Argos offence of late can be attributed to just one man, James Wilder Junior. Veteran running back Brandon Whitaker has been sidelined with injury for the last two weeks, and Wilder Jr. has more than filled the void.
In week 13 against the Eskimos, Wilder Jr. posted 190 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving, and a rushing touchdown. He then silenced anyone who suspected his performance was merely a flash in the pan, as the following week, he recorded 141 yards on the ground, 77 yards through the air, and a second rushing major in as many games.
If the Ticats can silence Wilder Jr, it’ll go a long way to stunting the Argos’ offensive attack.
The Ticats’ offence, on the other hand, may benefit from the return of a key piece. Andy Fantuz may be ready to start, and on the defensive side of the ball, other injured Ticats, Mike Atkinson and Abdul Kanneh, returned to the practice field this week.
The Masoli-led Tabbies have taken strides offensively, and a key area where there has been significant change has been the run game.
Alex Green, recent signing and former NFL 3rd Round Draft Pick, stepped up in place of the injured C.J. Gable and was a big part of the win in BC. Green rushed for 140 yards and added another 15 through the air, on route to player of the game honours.
For all the offensive weapons that both teams are fielding on Saturday, the defences have been the bigger factor in their wins this season.
Looking at the average points scored and allowed for both teams, the clear choice is the over, set at 47.5 points. The issue with that approach is that averages don’t paint a complete picture, in particular for the Ticats, who have looked vastly improved in recent weeks. Hamilton’s defence has allowed 23.5 points per game with June Jones as Head Coach, a significant improvement over the start of the year.
And who can forget the old adage, defense wins championships? Or perhaps Ballard Cups.
Prediction: Under
- How many receiving yards will Shamawd Chambers record? Over or under 49.5?
Shamawd Chambers made an immediate impact last Friday in BC. The receiver was traded to the Tiger-Cats less than a week before the game and spent very little time in black and gold before earning the start.
Chambers played well in his first game for Hamilton. Masoli connected with Chambers six times for 57 yards. A substantial amount of Chambers’ yardage was recorded after the catch, as he turned the ball downfield for 31 of his yards.
Head Coach June Jones praised Chambers for his intelligence, as evidenced by his ability to quickly adapt to the new offence.
Chamber’s ability to hit the 50 yard mark this upcoming game against the Argos could be influenced by the potential return of Andy Fantuz.
Coach Jones told Fantuz to, “jump in there and take as much as he could,” at practice this week. The timetable for Fantuz’ return was for a week 16 return, but Fantuz feels good and might be ready to go against the Argos this week.
If Fantuz is able to step in and be a big part of the offence right away, Chambers may see a reduction in targets.
Prediction: Under
- How many interceptions will the Ticats record? Over or under 0.5?
The Tiger-Cats defensive backs have come together as a group. The veteran Emanuel Davis has returned from injury, and off-season acquisition Abdul Kanneh is set to return in the coming weeks.
Through it all, Richard Leonard has anchored the Ticats’ defensive backfield for the entirety of the season.
Leonard is currently the leading contender for most outstanding rookie and it would be a well-deserved distinction. Leonard leads the league in pass-knockdowns, is part of a multi-player tie for third most interceptions in the league, and even has a defensive touchdown.
If Leonard, Davis, and the rest of the Ticats’ defensive backs can turn just one of their knockdowns into an interception, they’ll hit the over.
Standing in their way, however, is Ricky Ray. The Argos veteran has just seven interceptions on the season, tied for the least of any starting quarterback. Ray is a notoriously accurate passer, as he enters this Saturday’s game with a 69.9% completion percentage.
So who comes out on top: Ricky Ray or the Ticats defensive backs?
Prediction: Over
- How many yards will Ricky Ray rush for? Over or under 7.5?
While we’re on the topic of Ricky Ray, let’s look at his rushing potential. Ray is a pocket passer and has never been known for his explosiveness on the run. That being said, he occasionally tucks and pops off for a decent amount of yardage on the ground.
Ray is averaging just over three rushing yards per game in 2017, but that average is subject to the hit-or-miss tendency of Ray’s run game. Ray has eight games this season where he hasn’t carried the rock across the line of scrimmage and therefore posted zero rushing yards. On the other hand, he has one game where he rushed for over twenty yards on three carries.
An interesting side note, the game where he rushed for 23 yards was the Labour Day Classic against Hamilton.
It may not be worth reading into, however, as Ray rushed for just 4 yards against Hamilton in week one.
Prediction: Under
- Who will lead the Ticats in special teams tackles?
- Connor McGough
- Jonathon Langa
- Geoff Hughes
- Nicholas Shortill
- Other
Special teamers don’t get the same love as the offence or the defence, but they also play an important role.
Connor McGough was the Ticats’ first selection, fourth overall, in the 2017 CFL Draft. He was drafted by a Ticats team with Canadian depth at his position, supplied by Justin Capicciotti at defensive end. McGough has instead forged an important place on special teams, leading the Ticats in special teams (ST) tackles. McGough has 13 ST tackles on the season and is averaging more than one per game. The only other player who is compiling ST tackles at the same rate is Nicholas Shortill, but he has just six on the season because of missed time due to injury. Geoff Hughes and Jonathon Langa follow up McGough and are second and third on the team in ST tackles respectively.
For this game, my money is on the first round draft pick.
Prediction: Connor McGough
CLICK HERE TO LOCK IN YOUR PICKS!
